Note: (DT) signifies a decision taken at Decision Time.
The meeting opened at 9.15 am.
1. Ministerial Statement: The Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing (Nicola Sturgeon MSP) made a statement and answered questions on Influenza A (H1N1).
2. First Minister’s Statement: The First Minister (Alex Salmond) made a statement on the Scottish Government’s Programme.
3. Scottish Government’s Programme: The Parliament debated the Scottish Government’s Programme.
4. General Question Time: Questions were answered by Cabinet Secretaries and Ministers.
5. First Minister’s Question Time: Questions were answered by the First Minister (Alex Salmond).
6. Themed Question Time: Questions on Justice and Law Officers and Rural Affairs and the Environment, were answered by Cabinet Secretaries, Ministers and Scottish Law Officers.
7. Scottish Government’s Programme: The Parliament continued to debate the Scottish Government’s Programme.
8. Decision Time: The Parliament took no decisions on any of the items above.
9. Insulin Pump Therapy: The Parliament debated S3M-4723 in the name of David Stewart—That the Parliament acknowledges the benefits that insulin pumps have for people with type 1 diabetes in assisting with the condition; notes that between 4% and 14% of people with type 1 diabetes meet the criteria for eligibility for insulin pump therapy under current clinical guidance; notes the variation in financial provision across NHS boards for insulin pump therapy, whereby in Fife funding has been allocated for 10 pumps per year, whereas in Highland there is no separate budget despite all NHS boards having received funding for access to insulin pumps; further notes the differences in waiting times for eligible patients whereby in Lothian the average waiting time including waiting for training and education is estimated to be around 12 months and in Grampian and Orkney the current waiting time is six months; notes with concern the low level of insulin pump usage in Highland, which, at 0.9%, is the second lowest in Scotland, after Ayrshire and Arran; believes that further steps are required to monitor NHS boards to avoid a postcode lottery for patients with insulin-dependent diabetes, and looks forward to renewed commitment to action on diabetes in Scotland in 2010 and beyond.
10. Motion without Notice: David Stewart moved without notice that, under Rule 8.14.3, the debate be extended by up to 30 minutes. The motion was agreed to.
The meeting closed at 5.53 pm.
P E Grice
Clerk of the Parliament
3 September 2009
Appendix
(Note: this Appendix does not form part of the Minutes)
Subordinate Legislation
Negative Instruments
The following instruments were laid before the Parliament on 3 September 2009 and are subject to annulment—
The Sea Fishing (Enforcement of Community Control Measures) (Scotland) Amendment Order 2009 (SSI 2009/304)
laid under section 30(4) of the Fisheries Act 1981
The Plant Health (Import Inspection Fees) (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/305)
laid under paragraph 2(2) of schedule 2 to the European Communities Act 1972 and section 56(1) and (2) of the Finance Act 1973
The Seed Potatoes (Fees) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (SSI 2009/306)
laid under section 16(6) of the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964